Skip to content
  • X

Subscribe

Magazine | Newsletters
  • Food & Drink
  • News
  • Culture
  • Style
  • Home
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Things to Do
  • Travel
  • Best of NoVA
  • Best Restaurants
  • Most Influential
  • Top High Schools
  • In This Issue
  • Home
    • News
  • DC-Area Museums Begin to Reopen After Government Shutdown Ends
The Space Shuttle Discovery in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
  • News

DC-Area Museums Begin to Reopen After Government Shutdown Ends

Here’s when you can visit Smithsonian and other NoVA and DC museums.

By Maggie Roth November 13, 2025 at 10:18 am

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has ended. Now, many of Northern Virginia and DC’s federally funded museums are beginning to reopen their doors.  

The Smithsonian is taking a staggered approach to reopening its 17 free DC-area museums. All museums, including the zoo, are closed on November 13. The National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will reopen first, on Friday, November 14.  

The remaining museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will reopen on a rolling basis by Monday, November 17.  

Non-Smithsonian museums that were impacted are reopening as well. The National Gallery of Art will open the West Building and the Sculpture Garden on Friday, November 14. The full campus will open the following day.  

The National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle has opened with regular operating hours. The National Museum of the U.S. Army in Fort Belvoir will reopen Friday.

Feature image of Udvar-Hazy Center by Eric Long, courtesy National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution 

Maggie Roth

Maggie Roth

Associate Editor

Maggie Roth is the associate editor for Northern Virginia Magazine, where she covers news and culture in the NoVA area. Originally from New Jersey, she is a graduate of George Mason University and joined the magazine in 2021 as an editorial intern.

  • Email
  • LinkedIn

Trending in NoVA

7 Virginia Universities Ranked World Best in 2026-2027 List

DC’s Fourth of July Fireworks Will Begin Much Later than Usual

Grab a Drink at 4 New Northern Virginia Breweries  

Where to Watch DC’s National Mall Fireworks Show from Northern Virginia

22 Fourth of July Fireworks Shows Set to Light Up the Night Sky in Northern Virginia

things to do newsletter

Our Top Stories In Your Inbox

Our newsletters delivered weekly.

Subscribe

Feeds

RSS Feed Follow in Feedly

You May Also Like

two red, white, and blue locomotives for America250

Don’t Miss These Special Locomotives Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary

train car in vienna

NoVA Daily: 3 NoVA Suburbs Named the Wealthiest in the Country, Smithsonian Castle Light Show

a car drives past the McLean Government Center sign

This Northern Virginia Suburb Has Ranked Top 10 Wealthiest in the U.S.

  • X

Company

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Writer’s Guidelines
  • Internships
  • Terms of Use

Magazine

  • Magazine
  • Subscription
  • Newsletter
  • Back Issues

Talk to Us

  • Contact Us
  • Submit an Event
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Shopping

  • Subscription
  • Back Issues
  • Plaques
  • Realtor Client Gift Subscriptions

On Newsstands Now

NoVA 250 - July 2026 cover image

Copyright © 2026 Northern Virginia Magazine

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Hey AI.